"Dolls are precious little reflections of joyous light, whose hope is only to delight " - Gayle Wray"

The mansion once again was lit with thousands of candles and lamps, painting it in warm orange and gold. The marvelous dresses of the ladies shone like jewels, not to mention their accessories, all together the participants of the grand ball seemed as if everyone dressed themselves in gold only.

However one lady in red and white stood out even from this marvelously beautiful field of flowers. Her dark brown hair covered her shoulders freely, not bothering to arranging her flocks into some fashionable bun, her figure slim, but obviously athletic. Bluish-purple eyes glinted with happiness and humor as she listened to the other outstanding person in the hall. The young man with the neatest hairstyle and sparkling blue eyes dressed in a light costume according to latest fashion matching her with the red and white combination often looked at her as if she would understand more about those jokes than anyone else. And of course she did.

The host of the grand ball was no one else than Kudo Shinichi, the young and handsome noble known for his sharp mind and adventurous lifestyle along with his soon-to-be-wife Mouri Ran the beautiful and strong lady with the kindest smile ever. The ball's reason tonight was another story telling party with their friends and also, just like a small addition, their official announcement of their forthcoming marriage.

As Shinichi was entertaining the guest with his colorful tales about their last journey Ran went to get a glass for herself and start a side conversation with one of the special guests, Hakuba Saguru. She insisted on inviting him even if he knows nothing more.

Ran had a frequently returning childhood memory about a girl her age and a father desperately searching for his wife.

When she was about 5 or 6 on a horribly cold and stormy winter night the servants of the Morui residence reported a strange man stumbling in the snow storm outside along with a petite child wearing nothing but a leaky and torn coat same about the kid. Her father ordered the servants to lead them in for the night. The stranger was grateful but seemingly somewhere else in his thoughts. He mumbled something about only accepting for the sake of the girl. Kogoro led them to the guest room and got them warm dinner and clothes, also ordered the servants to prepare the bath. Ran was about to go to sleep but the hurry of the servants in the house made her curious. When she entered the guest room she gasped out of surprise and confusion. For a brief moment she thought there was a mirror.

In an a huge armchair sat a petite girl with messy dark brown hair with huge clear bluish-purple eyes, in one of Ran's coats clutching a huge cup with her frozen hands. She looked up from the cup eyeing curiously the newcomer then sending her one of the world greatest, warmest and friendliest smile ever. Ran was too amazed by that smile to return it, so all she did was to observe her in awe. She was a little bit skinnier than her, the face worn out and dirty, her hands trembling from the cold and her form was telling, no, screaming to the word "HELP". The girl titled her head a little in question after failing to get any response from Ran, and spoke with the cutest voice ever.

" Can Aoko help you? "

With that Ran woke up from her daze and finally smiled at her.

" That coat looks really beautiful on you. "

Aoko's eyes widened and she tried to get the coat off her, while gripping onto the cup, her movements ridiculously cute and laughable.

" Aoko's so sorry, she had no idea it was yours. She will give it back in a minute."

" You can keep it." She replied with a chuckle. " I meant it. It looks better on you anyway."

" Aoko's speechless from your kindness."

" What did you do out there?" Ran sat across her to another armchair.

" Aoko and her father was searching for Mum."

" In the storm?" Ran raised her eyebrows disbelievingly. The other girl just nodded as a response.

Her memories here went a little blur but she could recall the father's name as Ginzo and the stubborn look on his face the next day when they against all logic and kind advice decided to leave in the early morning without breakfast and only accepting some food and clothes when Eri and Kogoro reasoned with Aoko and her health. And Ran has no idea why but she was sure they were headed straight to the Kuroba residence because Ginzo was sure they have something to do with his wife's disappearance.

Years passed, she was now over 20 and even now she felt herself sad in a cold winter morning, as if Aoko and her father just had left. The memory came back again and again after every cold night, or stormy day, haunting and urging her to help Aoko, a person she had known for some hours and never seen since then. She had told the story to Shinichi as soon as they engaged of course, but apart from asking the Kurobas, who know nothing of course, saying they never heard about any father searching for his wife with his daughter, he could do nothing. They decided to ask the help of their friends as well, thus Hattori and Hakuba became frequent guest at the Kurobas, although after the death of the parents the heir Kaito became a little aloof.

Just as she had thought Hakuba knew nothing new. All he could tell that Kaito was more then eager to let him home after he almost literally forced a dinner invitation for himself into the Kuroba residence. He hadn't seen anything that would sign that a girl like Ran (they were sure they still resemble a lot) would be living there, but they can't be sure since the family was always famous for their illusions, which they preferred to call 'magic'.

Ran thanked him his work and re-joined the lively conversation about the waterfall and that one small jump in that new swimsuit before her soon-to-be-husband would tell something different than the truth...

A.N.
Thank you for the reviews, they made me to use my non-existing plus energy to finally continue this, so thank you. With all my heart for real: thank you.
Many of you asked if Aoko is a doll. I started this story with her being a completely normal human as everyone else, only the story is different, but if you vote for this maybe I can use it :)
So I hope I cleared up a little the world they are living in, if still not then in a short sum up: it's an AU where all important character was born in a wealthy luxurious family, and their living style resembles mostly the 18-19th century with grand balls and dresses and stuff. Almost every character is above 20 and no Black organization and drugs and crimes and police. But of course it's not a time-travel back to the real 18-19th centuries so it's more of a mixture between the historical and the fantasy ones. Although here fantasy means "mixed with stuff from modern days and everything is possible".
Sorry if the word mislead you :/

Have a nice day :)